With particular reference to southern Africa, this paper asserts that both the Northern and Eastern knowledge traditions should be considered as part of a diverse global system of epistemologies and that they should be complemented by what the author calls Southern development discourse. This paper points out the promises and affordances of African linguistic diversity and cultural resources in arguing that creativity and innovation are warranted when local contextual particularities and cultural specificities are part of the underpinning pillars of policy frameworks on development.